New Muni plan — some routes get a boost!

As the Municipal Transportation Agency prepares to make unpopular service cuts to help close a looming budget deficit, Muni chief Nathaniel Ford unveiled a plan Friday to beef up service on about a dozen lines to help soften the blow to riders.

In some cases, the frequency of service would be increased, such as on the 14-Mission Express, the 9-Bayshore Express, the 44-O’Shaughnessy and the 5-Fulton — lines that are expected to see increased demand from riders whose normal bus routes are being eliminated or cut back.

In other cases, lines would be rerouted to pick up the slack. For example, the 10-Townsend would be extended into Potrero Hill with a final stop at San Francisco General Hospital. Ford’s plan also calls for retaining service on a handful of lines, including the 39-Coit and the 66-Quintara, that the agency had planned to pare back.

The nearly $9 million targeted for service enhancements came from tweaks to the Muni budget orchestrated last week by the Board of Supervisors. Ford made it a point to note which supervisorial districts would benefit from the new service line up. Lo and behold, each of the 11 districts in the city would get something.

The Board of Supervisors has scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday to consider rejecting the MTA’s $766 million budget plan, which in addition to service cutbacks calls for fare hikes. Now, Ford can insert his new plan — which would put an extra 150 service hours a day on the street citywide — into the debate.